2.4.5. Courtesy
991 Who easy access give to every man, they say, Of kindly courtesy will learn with ease the way. If one is easy of access to all, it will be easy for one to obtain the virtue called goodness. 120
992 Benevolence and high born dignity, These two are beaten paths of courtesy. Affectionateness and birth in a good family, these two constitute what is called a proper behaviour to all.
993 Men are not one because their members seem alike to outward view; Similitude of kindred quality makes likeness true. Resemblance of bodies is no resemblance of souls; true resemblance is the resemblance of qualities that attract.
994 Of men of fruitful life, who kindly benefits dispense, The world unites to praise the ‘noble excellence.’ The world applauds the character of those whose usefulness results from their equity and charity.
995 Contempt is evil though in sport. They who man’s nature know, E’en in their wrath, a courteous mind will show. Reproach is painful to one even in sport; those (therefore) who know the nature of others exhibit (pleasing) qualities even when they are hated.
996 The world abides; for ‘worthy’ men its weight sustain. Were it not so, ‘twould fall to dust again. The (way of the) world subsists by contact with the good; if not, it would bury itself in the earth and perish.
997 Though sharp their wit as file, as blocks they must remain, Whose souls are void of ‘courtesy humane’. He who is destitute of (true) human qualities (only) resembles a tree, though he may possess the sharpness of a file.
998 Though men with all unfriendly acts and wrongs assail, ‘Tis uttermost disgrace in ‘courtesy’ to fail. It is wrong (for the wise) not to exhibit (good) qualities even towards those who bearing no friendship (for them) do only what is hateful.
999 To him who knows not how to smile in kindly mirth, Darkness in daytime broods o’er all the vast and mighty earth. To those who cannot rejoice, the wide world is buried darkness even in (broad) day light.
1000 Like sweet milk soured because in filthy vessel poured, Is ample wealth in churlish man’s unopened coffers stored. 121 The great wealth obtained by one who has no goodness will perish like pure milk spoilt by the impurity of the vessel.
2.4.6. Wealth without Benefaction
1001 Who fills his house with ample store, enjoying none, Is dead. Nought with the useless heap is done. He who does not enjoy the immense riches he has heaped up in his house, is (to be reckoned as) dead, (for) there is nothing achieved (by him).
1002 Who giving nought, opines from wealth all blessing springs, degraded birth that doting miser’s folly brings. He who knows that wealth yields every pleasure and yet is so blind as to lead miserly life will be born a demon.
1003 Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear, It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear. A burden to the earth are men bent on the acquisition of riches and not (true) fame.
1004 Whom no one loves, when he shall pass away, What doth he look to leave behind, I pray? What will the miser who is not liked (by any one) regard as his own (in the world to come) ?
1005 Amid accumulated millions they are poor, Who nothing give and nought enjoy of all they store. Those who neither give (to others) nor enjoy (their property) are (truly) destitute, though possessing immense riches.
1006 Their ample wealth is misery to men of churlish heart, Who nought themselves enjoy, and nought to worthy men impart. He who enjoys not (his riches) nor relieves the wants of the worthy is a disease to his wealth.
1007 Like woman fair in lonelihood who aged grows, Is wealth of him on needy men who nought bestows. The wealth of him who never bestows anything on the destitute is like a woman of beauty growing old without a husband.
1008 When he whom no man loves exults in great prosperity, ‘Tis as when fruits in midmost of the town some poisonous tree. The wealth of him who is disliked (by all) is like the fruit-bearing of the etty tree in the midst of a town.
1009 122 Who love abandon, self-afflict, and virtue’s way forsake To heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take. Strangers will inherit the riches that have been acquired without regard for friendship, comfort and charity.
1010 ‘Tis as when rain cloud in the heaven grows day, When generous wealthy man endures brief poverty. The short-lived poverty of those who are noble and rich is like the clouds becoming poor (for a while).